HFD clarifies policy on city building inspections

Updated 6:57 pm, Monday, July 14, 2014

Days after two fire inspectors went public with allegations that they were told not to issue citations for city-owned buildings that fail inspection, a top Houston Fire Department official sent a memo clarifying that no city buildings are to get special treatment.

In the memo dated July 10, Executive Assistant Fire Chief Richard Galvan gave inspectors detailed instructions on conducting inspections at city-owned buildings: "If violations have not been corrected and an action plan has not been approved, a citation shall be issued."

That memo came after HFD inspectors George Hernandez and Thanh Nguyen held a news conference at City Hall last week where their attorney, Randall Kallinen, blasted Fire Department management for failing to hold city-owned buildings to the same safety standards as privately-owned ones. Kallinen also released a February internal department email that seemingly bolstered the inspectors' claims.

"Under the direction of Chief (John) Valenti we are NOT to issue citations to these facilities. Your cooperation in this endeavor is appreciated," Chief Inspector George Meadows wrote in the email to top fire inspectors.

HFD spokesman Capt. Ruy Lozano said last week that Meadows' email was a miscommunication and did not reflect department policy.

No city-owned buildings have received a citation this year. The department only started inspecting city buildings this year after a city insurance audit noted that it was not being done.

Fire Chief Terry Garrison dismissed the inspectors' claims last week, saying they came from "disgruntled employees" and had "little merit."